Rosendo Salvado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dom Rudesindo Salvado OSB |
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| 1st Roman Catholic abbot | |
Statute of Rosendo Salvado, located in his hometown of Tui, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
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| Church | Territorial Abbey of New Norcia |
| Diocese | Perth |
| Enthroned | 12 March 1867 |
| Reign ended | 29 December 1900 |
| Successor | Fulgentius Antonio Torres |
| Other posts | Bishop of Port Essington (1849 – 1867) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 23 February 1839 (Priest) in Naples |
| Consecration | 15 August 1849 (Bishop) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 March 1814 Tui, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain |
| Died | 29 December 1900 (aged 86) Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Rome |
| Buried | New Norcia |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| Occupation | Roman Catholic bishop |
| Profession | Cleric |
Rosendo Salvado Rotea OSB (1 March 1814 – 29 December 1900) was a Spanish monk, missionary, and bishop. He founded and became the first abbot of the New Norcia monastery in Western Australia.
Contents
Rosendo Salvado's Early Life
Rosendo Salvado was born in Tui, Spain, on March 1, 1814. When he was 15, he joined the Benedictine Abbey of San Martin. He officially became a monk in 1829 and took his final vows in 1832.
In 1835, he had to leave Spain. The government closed all monasteries during a time of political unrest. He found refuge in an abbey near Naples, Italy. There, he became a priest in February 1839.
Starting a Mission in Australia
Salvado strongly wanted to work as a missionary in other countries. His wish came true when John Brady became the first bishop of Perth, Australia. In January 1846, Salvado and his friend Father Joseph Serra sailed from London to Fremantle, Australia.
Bishop Brady asked Salvado and Serra to travel inland. With a small group of monks, they went by ox-cart into the Victoria Plains. On March 1, 1846, they started "The Central Mission" in the Australian bush. Their goal was to teach the Indigenous Australians about Catholicism. This mission was later renamed "New Norcia" after the birthplace of St. Benedict.
Challenges and Successes
The priests quickly built relationships with the Nyungar people. However, life at the mission was very difficult. Soon, only Salvado and Serra remained. Salvado was a talented musician. In 1846, he played the piano at a concert in Perth. He wore his worn-out monk's robes. The concert raised important money for the new mission.
In 1848, Serra was made a bishop in the Northern Territory. Then, in 1849, Salvado traveled to Europe to raise more money for New Norcia. He took two young Nyungar boys, Joseph Conaci and Francis Dirimera, with him. While in Europe, Salvado was made a bishop himself, even though he really wanted to return to New Norcia.
Sharing His Story
While waiting for permission to go back to Australia, Salvado wrote a book. It was called Memorie Storiche dell' Australia (Historical Memories of Australia). The book was published in 1851. It told the story of the mission's beginnings and his experiences with the Nyungar people. The book was printed many times in Italian, Spanish, and French. An English version was published in 1977.
Returning to New Norcia
Salvado returned to Australia in 1853. He brought many priests and monks with him to help with the missions. For four years, he managed the Diocese of Perth while Bishop Serra was away. He finally returned to New Norcia in 1857.
In the following years, the mission began to help the White settlers moving into the area. In 1866, he was considered for the role of Bishop of Perth. However, he convinced the Vatican that his true calling was to work with the Aboriginal people. In 1867, he was named "Lord Abbot," and New Norcia became an independent abbey.
Later Years and Legacy
Rosendo Salvado died in 1900 while visiting Rome, Italy. He passed away at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. Three years later, his body was brought back to New Norcia. He was buried in a marble tomb behind the main altar of the abbey church. His work helped establish one of Australia's most unique and long-lasting monastic communities.
See also
- Asteroid 274856 Rosendosalvado
